bluebirduncaged My Life

Senior Pictures!!!

So, I technically should have gotten my senior pics done this summer but we weren't sure who we wanted to do them. We wanted someone who captured my personality and was artistic at the same time and we finally decided on Whitelake Studio. Mommy had been looking at their work for a while and from what we saw, it looked like a good match.

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Before we had our first session, we had a meeting with Bryan. He took the time to show us his gallery and get to know me. He asked about my interests and what I wanted to capture at this time of my life. We decided that we wanted to record my personality, passions, and story. To help get a better idea of what I wanted, Bryan asked me to write out my story (maybe I'll blog it sometime). At this meeting, we set goals for what we wanted to do in each session and discussed different ideas. He encouraged me to bring not only different outfits but "props" or things that were important in my life (yes, I brought Alice). At this meeting, we decided to do 3 sessions: one in the studio, one in the purple flower field, and one in the urban setting. At each session, I would do some photos in regular clothes and some ballet photos.

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My first session was in the studio a few weeks ago. I always feel a little awkward getting my picture made and it was at first. But after a few shots, it became more natural. One thing I really liked about Bryan is that he lets you choose your poses. Sometimes he'll offer a suggestion or say 'look here' but for the most part, the photo shoot is directed by the subject. I feel like this makes the process easier and the finished project more original and satisfying.

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 During this first session, Bryan focused not only on taking pictures but really capturing me. He tried to show my spiritual and and balletic sides as well as just me as a person. Overall, I really enjoyed this experience and I'm looking forward to our next sessions. Here's a peak at some of the pics. I can't wait to see the others. Oh, he's working on a new product to be revealed soon–I'm not giving any hints though.

Senior pic 1

Visit their website here and there's more on their facebook and blog. I highly recommend Whitelake for your next portrait session. They are reasonably priced and the results are amazing. After all they see "your life as art."
 
  

bluebirduncaged Ballet

Cinderella

Cinderella coach K. Kenney Photo by: Kim Kenney

The first weekend of Cinderella is over and it went quite well. A few weeks ago, I was cast as a nymph in the show. After a few rehearsals, opening night was here and we were out there in all our glittery splendor. But enough about my minor part here's a little about this year's production.

The Cinderella story was originally written and published by the Grimm brothers in 1634 and revised by Charles Perrault in 1697. In 1945, Prokofiev composed the score for a ballet version of the story (wikipedia). Previously, Atlanta Ballet has performed the Ben Stevenson version of the ballet, borrowing costumes and sets from the Houston Ballet (the above picture is from this production). This year, Artistic Director, John McFall has re-staged the whole ballet with sets and costumes from the Washington Ballet. It's a charming and magical production for all ages.

Here are a few pics from backstage.

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Lauren as the lead bee. I was learning this part but turned out to be too tall (imagine that!) to do it.

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  Me and Laura waiting for permission to go downstairs.  

We're at the Cobb Energy Centre until the 14th. Come see it if you can!

bluebirduncaged Things I'm learning

Things I’m learning: Forgiveness

Remember when you were a kid and your parents would tell you, “You need to apologize to so and so and ask for forgiveness?” Or maybe on the other side, your friend would say (after being prompted), “I’m sorry for not sharing, will you please forgive me?” Of course, you would each say “yes” and the whole squabble would be forgotten.

But as we get older, the squabbles get more serious and it seems to get harder and harder to forgive. Maybe, a friend spread nasty rumors about you and hurt your reputation; or maybe a teacher gave you a grade lower than you deserved; or maybe you got overlooked for a role. How do we forgive when the situation really hurts?

According to dictionary.com the definition of forgiveness is, to grant pardon to OR to cease to feel resentment against. When I was little, I remember telling myself “Yes, I forgive so and so, I really do.” Yet, somehow, the twinge of hurt wouldn’t go away even if I decided to forgive. Even if my brain said I was forgiving someone, my heart wasn’t responding.

Recently, I’ve learned that forgiveness isn’t something that we do but something that God does in us. Try as we may, no matter how many times our brain tell us we are forgiving someone, until the seed of bitterness is rooted out of our hearts, we are not truly forgiving.

Acknowledging that we cannot forgive on our own strength is another aspect of surrendering to God. It’s recognizing our weakness; admitting that only because He forgave us, can we forgive others. It’s opening our hearts to God and allowing Him to do the work.

Forgiveness is a process, a heart issue that needs fixing; something we initiate and God finishes. It’s more than just a decision or an apology and until we open our hearts and allow Him to work, we can’t truly forgive. Eventually, that twinge of bitterness will be replaced with the peace of God and our brains and hearts will be on the same page. 

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. ~Eph. 1:7-8a

 

bluebirduncaged My Life

Writers block

I couldn't think of anything to write about so I just decided to do a stream of consciousness for the first post of year. One of my goals for 2010 is to blog more consistently and substantially. I have alot of ideas but not enough time to write them. 2010 holds a lot of knowns and a lot of unknowns. I'm just trusting that God knows what He is doing. I know He does. That's one of the things He's been teaching me. Last year He also taught me that His timing is perfect but that's another story for another day. 

Sometimes I think I try too hard. I try to make everything perfect the first time but that's what the rough draft is for; that's why we take class and rehearse everyday. So that one day when it's published or on stage it is almost perfect. I guess that's why one of my main corrections is to relax. It was kind of a theme last year. God was reminding me that I can't but He can. I just need to rest in the fact that He's got it under control. Now that doesn't give me permission to loaf. But it does give me peace that even if something doesn't go right the first time, it's okay.

2010 is going to be fun. I'm looking forward to meeting my goals, making new friends, and experiencing new things. What are you looking forward to? 

bluebirduncaged Family

Happy Birthday Mommy!!

Today is Mommy's birthday. She wanted to do a cupcake theme this year. She bought this big cupcake mold and I made her this cake.

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Her present was a dress form she had been eyeing at TJ Maxx. We named her Melba after a family inside joke.

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Wishing Mommy a happy birthday. I won't tell you how old she is but here's a hint: she was 24 when I was born (remember my b-day is in March and hers is in December). 

bluebirduncaged Ballet

Nutcracker 2009-Pt. 5

Well, Nutcracker is finally over. It's kinda sad but if it went on forever it wouldn't be special. And with over 20 shows, sometimes you need a break. With this being my last post for Nutcracker this year, I'll feature the lamb role. (Below photo from here)

Lamb

 Lamb was my favorite part this year. It was fun to make up silly things for the little improv part in the middle of the dance and a new experience to dance in a costume that fully covered me from head to toe–literally. Lamb also stretches your artistry in that you have to act like an animal, and dance like a human without using facial expressions.

This was the first role that I had to spray my shoes. Before dress rehearsal, Lauren (another lamb) and I headed out to the wind tunnel near the stage door with a can of black spray paint and our shoes. After spraying out in the cold, we brought our shoes in to dry.

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During the middle of Snow scene I head downstairs to stage left to get dressed. First, I put on the legs to my under unitard. Then, I put on my shoes. The hands to the unitard are like mittens so that's why I wait to put them on later. After my shoes are on, I put the rest of the unitard on and then put on the big, fluffy, pink, lamb suit.

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 After getting snapped into the lamb suit, I head over to the head peice table on stage right to get my head. The head was the hardest part to get used to. You have very limited vision, so you definitely have to "feel" the other person to be on the music. Also, it kind of inhibits your breathing so it can get a bit stuffy, especially when most of the dance is jumping.

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 During intermission, the other lamb and I decide what we're going to do for our little acting part. Then, Act II starts. We wait during the two variations then towards the end of Spanish, I start to put my head on. After Chinese, we're on. Then we wait for finale and then bows. And that's a snippet of being a lamb. This is a picture of me with the Baby Lamb for our cast.

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On Tuesday, my family came to watch. The liked it a lot. Carolyn, also came and took care of Alice during the show. She had a great time as well. That's it for Nutcracker this year, only 9 more months until we start rehearsals for it again. Hope you enjoyed sharing the magic with me.

Me and Carolyn- Nut. 09

bluebirduncaged Family

Merry Christmas!!!

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But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great JOY which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."    ~Luke 2:10-14

 

bluebirduncaged Ballet

Nutcracker 2009-Pt. 4

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So far the shows have been going well. No major mishaps or anything. Yesterday, we had another Kids in Step show. I wasn't doing anything in it but my mom had to work backstage so I went with her. I went upstairs to take a nap. About 30 minutes before the show started, Mommy came upstairs and said "Rebekah, come downstairs, they need you to do infantry." It turned out that 3 of the infantry members didn't show up. So I stepped in along with another pre-pro who was with her mom. I learned the part before the show began and then did it on stage. It actually wasn't that bad.